STORY OF CYPRIPEDIUM PLATYTAENIUM 



This is the rarest and costliest of all orchids — of all flowers 

 that blow, indeed, and all green things, from the cedar of 

 Lebanon to the hyssop upon the housetop. I think it no 

 exaggeration to say that a strong specimen would be worth its 

 weight in diamonds if a little one — for the most enthusiastic 

 of millionaires seem to lose courage when biddings go beyond 

 a certain sum. But it is long since any plants came into the 

 market. 



I suppress part of the name, as usual, fearing to daunt 

 casual readers. Be it understood that this treasure is a 

 variety of Cypripedium Stoneii ; the specific title should be 

 introduced in speaking of it. Doubtless platytaenium is a 

 very handsome member of the family, impressive in size and 

 shape, elegantly coloured. But one who regards the flower 

 with eyes undazzled by fashion may pronounce that its 

 value lies mostly in its renown. 



But one plant has ever been discovered ; and that came 

 to Europe unannounced. Messrs. Low sold a quantity of 

 a new Cypripedium from Borneo. Some pieces were bought 

 by Mr. Day, of Tottenham, at an average of eight shillings 

 each. They flowered successively, and Mr. Day named the 

 species Stoneii, after his excellent gardener. In 1863, how- 

 ever, one appeared difi^erent to the rest — difi^erent, as it has 

 proved, to all the myriads which have been discovered since. 

 This was named platytaenium. But besides the merit of 



